The Small Black Notebook

The Little Black Book

By Judith Headley

As Michael gazed outside on this particular dismal day, he watched the raindrops beating on the window. He was pondering on how life could be better for him and his grandmother. He had clothes on his back and food to eat, but life could be much better for them.

Michael lost his parents in a car accident 3 years prior. His only living relative was his grandmother whom he adored. Grandma Haddy loved Michael with all her heart and she tried her best to do right by him, but she was poor. Haddy lost her husband long ago and he was the breadwinner for the family. Greg, her late husband, was a dreamer. He made all sorts of inventions in hopes of becoming rich one day. He always said that if his inventions did not make him rich, he would win the lottery. He had always hoped that he would be able to give Haddy a better life and everything she deserved.

Grandma always kept grandpa’s invention room under lock and key. It was the only room on the upstairs floor that no one dared to enter. If you were to open the room, you would notice that everything was left the way grandpa kept it before his passing. No one ever spoke about the room nor did they go in there. Michael always wondered why, but never asked.

One day, when Haddy had gone out to the store, Michael decided to indulge his curiosity and go into the room. He did not get to know his grandfather very well and when he asked Haddy about him, she was vague as it hurt her so much to speak about the love of her life.

Michael found the key to the secret room and went inside. The room was dark and dusty with one small window. Grandpa’s desk was next to the window with blue prints scattered on it. There was equipment and tools all over the place. Michael walked around the room in amazement. When he went to the window of the room, on the floor was a small black notebook that had sticky notes all over it. Michel opened the book to find all sorts of invention ideas and notes. When he lifted the book to the window so that he could see better, a piece of paper fell out. On the paper, there were a bunch of numbers and at the top, it said “Dreams do come true”.

Michael took the piece of paper with the numbers and closed up the room. He ran to the neighbors house where Joseph lived. Joseph was like a big brother to him since his parents passed away. Michael showed Joseph the numbers on the piece of paper that had fallen out of the book. Michael went on to explain that he went into his grandpa’s work room and found this small black notebook. He also mentioned to Joseph his grandpa had a dream to either make big money with his inventions or win the lottery. Joseph asked Michael if he could keep the paper as he had an idea. Michael agreed. Joseph decided to buy a lottery ticket with those numbers. Michael did not fully understand what Joseph was doing, but went along with the plan.

Two days later, Joseph came by the house to see Haddy. He gave her an envelope and when she opened it she started to cry. “Oh my, what is this?” she cried out. Joseph went on to explain that Michael came up with some numbers and he decided to buy a lottery ticket on her behalf. When Haddy opened the envelope, inside it was $20,000. Joseph said to her that since Michael came up with the numbers, she should have the money.

As she sobbed, she let Joseph know that this was such a big help as she was behind in the bills. She also wanted to buy a computer for Michael to do his schoolwork, but she could not afford it. She kissed Michael thanking him over and over again.

The next day Grandma went out, paid all the bills and bought Michael a computer. Michael was so happy. He never let on where the numbers actually came from for the draw.

Michael went to his bed that night and in saying his prayers, he added something special. “Grandpa, you always told grandma that if your inventions did not make you rich, then you would win the lottery. Please do not to worry about Grandma as your dream for a better life for her did come true. Grandma is going to be okay.”